THINKING IT THROUGH.By: ROTHMAN, JOSHUA, New Yorker, 0028792X, 8/23/2021, Vol. 97, Issue 25

Question1

1)The statement "Update Your Priors" on T-shirts worn in Silicon Valley signifies:

a) The need to constantly reassess your beliefs and assumptions.

b) commitment to the Bayesian approach to thinking.

c) A criticism of outdated ways of thinking.

d) Both A and B.

Question 2

In Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons," the student Bazarov is portrayed as:

1) Irrational

2) Excessively rational

3) Overly emotional

4) Highly illogical

Question 3

According to the author, why is rationality important in the current era?

A)Because rational people are wealthier

B) Because rational people are wealthier than irrational ones.

C) Because rational people are inherently better than irrational ones.

D)Because in a fast-changing world, rationality helps understand the world better.

Question 4

According to the author, being rational:

A)Always leads to prompt and decisive action.

B)Necessarily eliminates emotional considerations.

C)Does not guarantee the ablty to act decisively in real world situations.

D)Is incompatible with being emotionally driven.

Question 5

What does Bayesian reasoning suggest as best practices?

a)Prioritize alarming news over all other information.

b)Ignore new data points if they contradict baseline assumptions.

c) Start with the big picture and be cautious when integrating new information.

d) Jump to conclusions as soon as new information is received.

Question 6

According to Martin Gurri's 2014 book "The Revolt of the Public and the a) Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium," societies can fall prey to:

a) Unregulated capitalism

b) Unfounded trust in the government

c) False or compromised rationality

d) Excessive individualism

7) According to the author, what does a rationalist need to be "metarational"?

a) To be able to convert others to rational thinking.

b) To prove their rationality through their actions.

c) To make a distinction between right and wrong.

d) To be able to question and reflect upon their own rationality.

Question 8

According to the passage, which of the following are potential pitfalls or criticisms of the rationality movement?

a) It might create a sense of faux omniscience.

b) it may lead to an overemphasis on data at the expense of direct experience.

c) it could lead to unsettling conclusions if wielded by people in power.

d) All of the above.

Question 9

How does the author describe his initial approach to decision-making, in comparison to Greg's?

a) He seeks advice from others before making a decision.

b) He also conducts thorough analyses before making decisions.

c) He makes decisions based on appearances and personal feelings.

d) He relies on objective data and facts to guide his decisions.

Question 10

The "illusion of fluency" in psychology refers to:

a) The perception that we understand a concept fully when we only know a part of it.

b) The incorrect belief that we are highly fluent in a language we've been learning.

c) The tendency to monitor our performance less rigorously when performing familiar tasks.

d) The inability to distinguish between rational and irrational thoughts.

Question 11

In "The Rationality Quotient: Toward a Test of Rational Thinking." rationality is referred to as a mental faculty, distinct from intelligence, that involves:

a) The ability to make quick decisions.

b) The ability to memorize large amounts of information

c) The ability to empathize with others.

d) The ability to juggle multiple scenarios simultaneously without bias or monopoly by a single one.

Question 12

In "Pride and Prejudice," Charlotte Lucas is presented as an example of a rational character because she:

a)Frequently updates her priors in response to new information.

b) Criticizes others for not being rational enough.

c) Uses Bayesian reasoning when evaluating people and situations.

d) ignores her feelings and makes decisions based on data

Question 13

Which of the following phrases best captures the Bayesian approach to belief and knowledge?

a) Be completely convinced."

b)"Stick to the facts."

c) "The cooking is never done."

d) "Build an immovable worldview."

Question 14 (1 point)

The "equivalent bet technique is used to:

a)Enhance logical thinking skills.

b) Determine the veracity of a statement.

c) Improve memory retention.

d) Get a sense of how much you really believe in your assertions.

Question 15

The Weberian rationality is concerned with:

a)The impact of technology on rational thought

b) The divide between human and animal intelligence

c) Overcoming societal bias

d) The rationality of habit and instrumental rationality of means and ends